With Thanksgiving

“Not what we say about our blessings but how we use them is the true measure of thanksgiving.”   W. T. Purkiser

The past two months have been among some of the first times that I consciously remember praying for and thanking God for delivery trucks and their drivers.  Along with Abby, we have waited for trucks to make deliveries so papers could be sent to yet another location to be signed, stamped, verified, and sealed to complete the documentation for Mary to be adopted.  Since Abby was leaving on Tuesday to fly home, it was important for the last set of papers to arrive on Monday so she could compile all of the documents and send the completed paperwork to its final destination.  I’m sure the mail carrier was a little surprised at the joyful response and appreciation she received when we opened the door and she handed the envelope to Abby on Monday morning.  When Abby explained what was in the packet, the lady offered her congratulations and left with a smile on her face.

Monday afternoon, after scanning the papers, checking and double checking everything, Abby and her sister took the completed set of papers to be shipped.  How appropriate that Scott and Abby received word that on Thanksgiving Day the papers arrived, as well as a box of gifts they had sent for Mary.

What a wonderful time of the year to remember and acknowledge our blessings and thank God for his continual provision and love for us.  One of my favorite parts of this season is the time we spend with family.  What a blessing to have Abby with us during these days.  And because of technology, we have been able to “see” Scott and talk with him.  We were able to spend Sunday with the Schoeffler side of the family and Thanksgiving Day with the Bertrands.  Both homes were full of fun, laughter, food, and lots of visiting.  I’m grateful that both sides of our family shared the day with four generations.

During this holiday season, I hope I will take the time to be appreciative of little and big things alike and will be able to adequately express that gratitude.  Because of God’s continual love and blessings, I pray that my words, actions, deeds, and the way I choose to spend my time will be a true measure of my thanksgiving.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  Psalm 34:8

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  2 Corinthians 4:15

 

 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  Psalm 100:4

Listening For His Voice

The past few weeks, Scott and Abby have been able to send two care packages to their little girl.  Mary now has pictures of her family, toys, a special blanket made for her by my sister, and other special items from her future parents.  I love that she now has two recordable books, one that Abby read to her and one that has Scott’s voice reading to her.  If Mary only heard the books read to her one time, it would be much harder for her to distinguish Abby and Scott’s voices when she hears them in person, but the people in the orphanage are letting her hear the books, over and over again.  Hopefully, when they are able to meet, their daughter will recognize their voices.  I can just imagine how her little face will light up when she hears them speak to her in person because those are voices she has heard several times.  What joy that will bring to all of their hearts.

 How much our Heavenly Father must delight in his children when they recognize his voice, listen to what he is saying, and willingly trust and obey what he is asking them to do.  The more we listen, the easier it will be to distinguish his voice over the others that are around us.  And when He speaks, I want to make sure I listen, respond in obedience, and bring him much delight.

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”   I Samuel 3:10

 

 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.  I Samuel 15:22

 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17

 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  John 10:27

Being Prepared

Whether it’s a hurricane that hits along the East Coast, Florida, or the Gulf Coast, “Sandy” has reminded us once again of how important it is to be prepared and ready for an upcoming storm or hurricane.  Unlike tornados and earthquakes, hurricanes usually give you at least a few days of warning so you can make preparations for food supply, water, candles, lanterns, batteries, clothing, medicine, and some sort of communication device.  Sometimes homes need to be boarded up and other items secured for safety reasons and in hopes of protecting property from as little damage as possible.  In some cases, evacuations are necessary.  Although it is time consuming and inconvenient, it allows people the opportunity to leave safely before the storm hits.

Once again, it has been amazing to see the amount of support that occurs during times like this.  From money, supplies, food, emergency personnel, and volunteers it has seemed like another overwhelming response to a difficult situation.  The electric companies, from other states, even had their trucks and people headed to the east coast before the storm ever hit.  That must have been a very welcome sight.

Although warnings for hurricanes are given a few days or a week before it makes landfall, there are other times in life where there might not be advanced notice of an occurrence.   We each have a certain number of days to live on this earth.  Since we don’t know the exact amount of time, it is important to be prepared to live every day to its fullest.  We also know that Jesus is coming again at a time that no one knows so we need to stay prepared and be ready at all times.  It’s wise to make preparations for a hurricane and it’s also important to be ready, and make sure others have the opportunity to be prepared and ready, for Jesus’ return.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

³⁶ “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

 ⁴³ But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.  Matthew 24: 36, 43-44

A New Phone

Recently, the contract for my cell phone was up for renewal.  I’m not sure if it is standard practice for the company to notify all of their customers or if they just send me a notice that states that it is possible to upgrade my phone.  I still have one of the small flip phones and it has served its purpose well.

For years now, Larry has tried to interest me in an iPhone.  I didn’t think it was necessary since I usually only have the phone when I am out.  The phone is turned on when I leave to go somewhere and is usually turned off when I arrive.  When the phone was new, I didn’t even need to charge it for a few months.  It still does not need to be charged very often.  Knowing this background might help you understand Larry’s surprise at my recent request.

It was the first week in October.  After dinner, Larry was seated in his favorite chair with a cup of coffee and a little square of dark chocolate.  After a while, I told him that I thought it was time for me to purchase an iPhone.  With Scott and Abby living overseas, it would be beneficial to have the “Tango App” to be able to talk with them and see them at the same time.  That way we wouldn’t be dependent on having to be connected to the computer to talk.  With grandkids that would be an added bonus.  Besides, I didn’t want Larry to have to stop whatever he was doing to forward grandchildren pictures to my e-mail when he received them.  (When looking at pictures on his phone recently, I noticed that he had two extra pictures that I didn’t have.)

Needless to say, Larry was speechless.  He just kept looking at me, shaking his head, and not saying anything.  Finally he said, “Did you hear what you just said?”  I smiled and didn’t say anything else and neither did he.  The next day he called from the store and said, “Do you want a white phone or a black one?”  Before long, the order was confirmed by e-mail.

I immediately sent the boys an e-mail and told them to be sure to sit down before reading the rest of my message and then wrote about Larry ordering the phone.  Their responses were great as well.

Scott:  “I think this might actually be the most surprising news this week—and we've had some pretty surprising news this week!”  (They had just received word from the orphanage that they had been matched with a precious little girl.)

 

Brad:  “I order mine in 8 days.” 

Chad:  “I’ll trade you!” 

Even though I have used Larry’s phone throughout the years, I still have much to learn.  Thank goodness Larry knew how to set everything up on the phone.  Of course, one of the first things I wanted to do was add pictures.  Brad has already sent me the link to where I can take classes and Chad has answered questions and offered suggestions.  Scott wanted to be sure we added Tango so I can talk with Abby and him.  This is definitely a group effort. 

Some things I have thought about during this process:

* It’s good to have family and friends to help out on life’s journey…even for cell phones.

* While pictures on the phone remind me of special people and events, I am grateful that I don’t have to be dependent on that to remind me of God’s provisions.

 

* It was important to me to have a protective case for the phone before I started using it so it had a better chance of it not being scratched or damaged.  It’s also important for me to make sure I am being wise about protecting my life from the things that could be destructive to it.

 

* With the new phone, I am going to have to make the effort to learn what it can do so I can get the most benefit from it.  I also need to be constantly learning and growing to reach my potential.

* I have now charged the new phone three nights in a row, which means it is staying on all day.  Now I need to be as intentional about powering up my life with prayer, Bible study, ministry, and worship.

 

* I’ve also wondered about how many times God has had to patiently wait for me to ask for His will and provision.  It’s one thing to hold out for a phone, but I don’t want God to say, “I’m glad you finally asked.  I have wanted to provide that for you and bless you with that for a long time.”

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  Jeremiah 33:3

Waiting in Line

Larry and I went to a polling location near our house on Wednesday in order to take advantage of early voting.  The weather was nice and there was even a breeze as we waited in line for 45 minutes for the opportunity to cast our ballots.

 

I am grateful that:

 …I am a citizen of the United States of America.

…there was a line at the polling station because so many people were voting.  

…even though most people had never met, they were speaking respectfully to others in line.

 

…there were people from different ethnicities, age groups, and backgrounds.

…we were able to vote without any threats or violence.

 

In gratitude I will:

…pray for my country.

…pray for our elected officials.

…make sure I am part of the solution for our country and not part of the problem.

…point others to Jesus who is the only one who can give true freedom and peace for our lives, country and world.

 

 

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior.  I Timothy 2:1-3

Family and Football

Since I am a third generation Texas Techsan, I have grown up cheering for Texas Tech.  My grandparents lived in Lubbock, so Mom and Dad would go to the games sometimes when we were there visiting and even went to other games when they were played close to Houston.  We grew up listening to games on the radio, watching games on television, and reading the write-ups in the newspaper.  Even though I don’t know much about specific plays and all the details that go with football, I still enjoy the game and seeing the Red Raiders win.

 

During my freshman year at Tech, I vividly remember the week that Texas Tech played Texas.  For the first time that I could recall, I was in a dilemma over a football game.  You see, my cousin, Rick Nabors, played safety for the University of Texas.  All week long I went back and forth about my feelings about the game.  I remember finally deciding that it mattered more that Rick, who is family, have a good game than for Texas Tech to necessarily win.  After that week, I knew it would be all Tech again.  For the record, I did remember that Rick had a great game, but I had to look up on the internet to see who actually won.  And in 1970, Rick and the Longhorns went on to have a 10-1 record.  So he definitely not only had a good game but a great season as well.

 Through the years, I have learned to cheer for other teams along the way, especially where family and dear friends are concerned.  So yes, I have been known to cheer for the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets, the Baylor Bears, and the Texas A&M Aggies along the way.  And now, with Lori being in the family, I’ll even add the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

 

It’s one thing to be willing to cheer for different sports teams, but it’s a whole new ball game when it comes to the “Game of Life”.  Being on God’s team is the one that I want to be on fulltime, with no choice of ever cheering for another, not even for one game.  That’s the team that I want to give my full devotion, time, energy, and affection.  And that’s the team we already know is going to win in the end!

 

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.   I Corinthians 15:58

 

 ¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

I Corinthians 16:13-14

It's That Time of Year

Through the years, I have realized that I have a better chance of remembering information if I not only hear and see it, but also write it down.  With the holidays rapidly approaching, since “It’s That Time of Year”, this is an attempt to “write down” lessons to put into practice and be accountable for during these coming days.

 Things to remember…and apply…

 

The hurrier I go the behinder I get.

(Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll)

 

Take the time to do it right on the first attempt.

 

Don’t get so caught up doing good things that you don’t have the time or energy for the best things.

 

Maximum overload causes minimum effectiveness. 

(Patriarchs Bible Study - Beth Moore)

 

Saying “YES” for one thing means saying “NO” to someone or something else.  Weigh your choices wisely.         

 

Sometimes it’s good to just be still.

 

Most of all, remember and experience that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter, spring, summer or fall.

 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10